Healthcare Reform 101

In March 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law. The intent of the bill is to lower healthcare costs, increase access to healthcare and enhance the quality of healthcare for all Americans. In fact, healthcare reform impacts different groups and individuals differently.

What Is Healthcare Reform?

“Healthcare reform” generally refers to the collective overhaul of the United States’ healthcare and insurance system that began to be implemented in 2010.

In March 2010, a comprehensive healthcare reform law was enacted in two parts: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care act was signed into law March 23, 2010, and was amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act on March 30, 2010. The name “Affordable Care Act” (ACA) is used to refer to the final amended version of the law.

The goal of ACA is to lower healthcare costs, increase access to healthcare and enhance the quality of healthcare for all Americans. Learn the specifics of the law

How Will It Affect Me As a PH Patient or Caregiver?

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the legislation will provide coverage to 32 million currently uninsured Americans - a leap toward the vision that every PH patient will have healthcare that is universal, continuous (portable), affordable, sustainable and accessible.

The ACA does not fully address all the concerns of the PH community. However, many of the ACA's provisions align with PHA's long-standing advocacy initiatives to improve the quality of care for PH patients.

Require most individuals to obtain coverage or face penalties; there is a corresponding requirement for states to establish health insurance exchanges – or marketplaces – where insurance companies can offer plans for individuals and small businesses

Establish subsidies for low income families to purchase coverage through the exchanges

Eliminate pre-existing condition exclusions for adults

Eliminate annual benefit caps

Prohibit waiting periods of greater than 90 days for private insurance coverage to begin

Require guaranteed issue and renewability of coverage, with rating variation based only on age, rating area, family composition and tobacco use

What Is PHA's Commitment to Healthcare Reform?

As reform efforts begin to shift toward implementation, PHA is committed to monitoring these changes and listening to your feedback and experiences under the new law. We will also continue to advocate - through action alerts, coalitions with other health organizations and correspondence directly with government officials and insurance companies - for policy and regulations that both mirror our Statement of Principles on Healthcare Reform and increase access to healthcare for PH patients.

How Can I Get Involved and Where Can I Find More Information on Healthcare Changes?

PHA’s Coverage ConnectionLeave a comment about your experience with healthcare and insurance, read the latest PH-centered insurance updates and find out what other PH community members are saying about their personal insurance challenges. You can also sign up for PHA’s Coverage Connection email updates. Learn more

Healthcare.govAs the official U.S. government site on healthcare reform, healthcare.gov provides information to help you understand the new law, tools to find insurance options, tips on how to stay healthy and a glossary to explain insurance terminology. Learn more

Caring Voice Coalition (CVC)As an organization that provides programs aimed at helping patients with insurance reimbursement, patient support services and public advocacy, CVC can help guide you through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Learn more

For optimal viewing of PHAssociation.org, please use a standards-compliant browser such as Google Chrome or Firefox.

The information provided on the PHA website is provided for general information only. It is not intended as legal, medical or other professional advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with qualified professionals who are familiar with your individual needs.